Oil smell in my compressor air

If memory serves me right you've got a Quincy compressor. If so then I'd say it's time for a rebuild. Probably have to pull it apart and see how much wear the cylinders have. You can get oversized pistons and rings for Quincy compressors if it turns out you have to bore the cylinders.

Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX

I wonder, why would a well made compressor X last N hours, and a Quincy would last several times longer. What, specifically, makes a quincy slower to wear.

Pull the exaust valve cartriges and clean-up the crap. Check the unloader circut that uses oil pressure. it might be seeping oil into the head. What oil are you using? This is a Quincy, right? If not...nevermind!

check the oil.......

if it is not actually in the process of self destruction, it may be getting too hot. any new leaks?

Gunner wrote:

Do you have a manual for your air pump? Many large pumps have a splash oiler, so some oil in the air is normal. I would call the service guys at a large local air compressor place, ideally a Quincy service location, and just ask them. I've had real good luck. Or, you can call Quincy and talk to a smart guy, a real person.

Most likely it just needs a top end rebuild.

Grant

They're just built better on several different levels. One thing is that most of them are pressure lubed on the crank. The cylinders and pistons are made of better materials and better more robust designs. The valves are disc valves which are several times better than the standard reed valve used in most compressors. The compressor itself is much larger than most similar capacity compressors which tells part of the story. It's really hard to describe with words. Unless you've been into several different kinds of compressors you probably wouldn't notice the differences.

BTW there's a Quincy 270 vacuum compressor in pieces in my shop right now. I'm still waiting for them to get me the right rings so I can put it back together. The vacuum models used a completely different piston and ring setup from standard models. Local oil and gas companies use these to help pull vacuum on gas wells so they can increase production. Long term experience has shown that the old style Quincy compressors hold up better than any others of the same size. Unfortunately Quincy no longer makes the vac model and may soon be discontinuing the whole series in favor of more modern higher speed designs. I know of one local company who has been asked to run a new model for a test with full logging and returning of the unit when it quits to see how they hold up.

On the other leg gas companies have had lousy luck with the IR T-30 compressor series when used in the same service. A much lower quality compressor on many levels in my experience. Which is really a bummer when the T-30 is considered a good air compressor compared to the normal units.

Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX

Responding to my own post but I just thought of something that might help you understand.

A Quincy is made like the engine you have in the your car while most air compressors are made like a Briggs and Straton engine.

Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX

Thanks Wayne. Pressure librication would surely help explain things.

On 7 Apr 2005 17:40:55 GMT, the inscrutable Ignoramus30662 spake:

Did it just happen, Gunner? What does the drain water look and smell like?

They're an oil-sump pump and it sounds like you have a faulty oil wiper ring. It's used to scrape the cylinder so not too much oil gets up above the compression rings and into the system.

Best idea: Rebuild that puppy.

Just get by: Check the oil wiper rings for cracks. R&R as necessary.

They used a better grade of materials and used proper tolerancing + fitting techniques during the build.

-- Vidi, Vici, Veni ---

Its either a Quincey or a early deVilbis. I cant remember...

Does have disk valves. Oil? Hummmm last time it needed oil, I drained and refilled with ND 30 motor oil. The unloader I think uses head pressue.

I have another identical compressor on a tank in the back 40 with a slightest clank when running. User said they ran it out of oil and replaced it not because it wasnt running, but because they were afraid it would quit at the worst possible time.

Ill check this weekend. It still pumps up well, but the oil smell bothers me. I probably should go through it this year. There are two compressor shops within 1/4 mile of me..and I get Brother in law prices on parts.

Gunner

Rule #35 "That which does not kill you, has made a huge tactical error"

I was wondering if you were posting a trick question...do you remember where the pump is?

That says it all! My Quincy, purchased new, is 35 years old and has had a seal and gasket replaced. It still pumps oil free air and is dead reliable. 5 horse, 3 phase, 80 gallon tank, on at 150 PSI, off at 175 PSI. They're bullet proof.

Harold

Which pump? I have three full sized compressors in the back yard at the moment.

Gunner

Rule #35 "That which does not kill you, has made a huge tactical error"

On the off end of the crankshaft. Some of these pumps were designed to pump oil in either direction so that the compressor was reversible, and it accomplished this by having the outer pump bore rotate a bit, dragged by friction, which would cover and uncover appropriate ports. On shutdown the compressor would sometimes rock backwards when it stopped, rotate the pump body, and there it would stick and give no oil pressure next time it started. Bit of a shortcoming. The pump is also a long way above the sump level in larger Quincys, and doesn't prime well. Oil "pumping" (oil in the air) is often caused by too much oil in the case, where the rods strike it and flood the cylinder walls. The rings hydroplane and oil gets past them. Another factor we experienced was multigrade oils: they are light oils with viscosity modifiers, and seem to flash off the cylinder walls quicker and end up in the air.

Dan

Dan, I was insinuating that Gunner might not remember where the whole 'effing compressor was. I haven't seen my Quincys in years...I hope SOMEBODY is maintaining them.

Ah! Indeed. Then mine is in the little leanto behind the house next to the tin building.

I think. Thats where the noise comes from.

Gunner

Rule #35 "That which does not kill you, has made a huge tactical error"

I missed the staff meeting but the minutes show Gunner wrote back on Thu, 07 Apr 2005 16:54:38 GMT in rec.crafts.metalworking :

Use scented oils???

pyotr

pyotr filipivich wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

LOL. A few drops of oil of wintergreen should keep the shop minty fresh.